Abstract: A communication system (10) comprises a portable radio (20) and a plurality of mobile repeaters (12), a mobile repeater system 200 comprising a portable signal receiver (224) for receiving portable radio signals; a mobile transmitter (218) for transmitting the portable radio signals received by the portable receiver; a mobile receiver (226) for monitoring mobile transmissions; a delay state counter (202) for delaying the transmission of the portable radio signals received; and a received signal strength indicator (204) for determining the strength of received mobile radio signals, the received signal strength indicator being coupled to the delay state counter, via a controller (206), for decrementing the delay state counter when the mobile receiver does not detect a mobile transmission having at least a predetermined received signal strength level.

Abstract: A second level of vehicular repeater units is added to a conventional repeater system. The secondary vehicular repeaters may be specialized units, such as, motorcycle units that may be rendered inoperative due to battery drainage. The present invention provides that no secondary vehicular repeater shall transmit if a primary vehicular repeater is in the area. Only if there are no primary vehicular repeaters in an area will a secondary vehicular repeater transmit, and then, the present invention provides a prioritization arrangement so that no one secondary vehicular repeater is overly burdened by constant operation.